Barcelona set Copa Del Re date against Atletico Madrid with thumping win over Elche

A second-string Barcelona side set up a Copa Del Rey quarter-final against Atletico Madrid with a thumping 4-0 (9-0 on aggregate) round of 16 win over Elche.

Luis Enrique rested much of his usual starting lineup for the dead rubber second leg, after last week’s 5-0 win at the Camp Nou, with Munir El Haddadi, Rafinha, Adama Traore, Sergi Roberto and Gerard Gambau all given the nod.

Elche faced the impossible task of overturning a five goal deficit from the first leg, and so it proved as Barcelona took a grip of the contest early on, with attackers like Christian Herrera and Coro posing scant threat for the hosts.

First half goals from Jeremy Mathieu, Sergi Roberto and Pedro set Barcelona on course for a comfortable second leg victory, with Adriano adding the finishing touches to a comprehensive display in stoppage time at the end of the match as Barca set up a clash with Liga champions Atletico.

8’ ADRIANO CHANCE: That was a big chance for Adriano! He was all the way up from his left-back position, but from 12 yards out the Brazilian manages to scuff his unchallenged shot wide of the target.

20’ RED CARD?: That was a contentious decision by the referee. Traore is played through on goal, who has the pace on the Elche defender, but Edu brings him down cynically. The ref shows him a yellow card, when it could have been red.

21’ GOAL! Elche 0 Barcelona 1: What a strike from Mathieu! The French defender slams a freekick from the best part of 25 yards into the top corner. Wow, wow, wow!

36’ TRAORE UNLUCKY: That was unlucky from Traore. The striker dribbles past three Elche players, throwing in a few flicks and tricks for good measure. But he drags his shot wide of the near post. Good play though.

40’ GOAL! Elche 0 Barcelona 2: Another stunning strike! Roberto swings a left foot at the ball from 20 yards and sends the shot high into the net. Oooft!

43’ GOAL! Elche 0 Barcelona 3: Pedro steps up to the 12 yard mark and sends the goalkeeper the wrong way, finding the bottom left corner with his shot.

46’ MONTOYA OPPORTUNITY: That was a chance for Montoya to grab a goal! The full-back plays a one-two with Roberto on the edge of the box and smashes a strike at goal, but his shot flashes just past the far post.

55’ ELCHE HEADER: So close to Elche grabbing a consolation goal! Coro is only inches away from connecting with an Albacar cross into the six yard box. His glancing header flashes past the post. Not far away at all.

69’ HALILOVIC HITS THE POST: Off the foot of the post from Halilovic! The Croatian takes the ball just inside the Elche penalty area and curls a right-footed shot towards goal but his effort crashes off the woodwork.

92’ GOAL! Elche 0 Barcelona 4: The left back has been desperate for a goal all night, and Adriano heads into the bottom corner from Douglas' cross.

Barcelona has scored 21 goals in the Copa Del Rey this season, with an average of 5.25 per game.

Alen Halilovic became the seventh youth player to make first team debut under Luis Enrique, after Munir El Haddadi, Sandro, Sergi Samper, Jordi Masip, Edgar Miguel Ie and Gerard Gumbau.

With the Catalan press on his back Enrique needs every source of refuge he can get, and he has found that in the Copa Del Rey this season. Barcelona are faltering in La Liga and could come up short in the Champions League, so the Copa could be Enrique’s best chance of silverware this season. Next up in the Copa is Atletico Madrid, which will be something of a litmus test for Barcelona.

The young midfielder has offered something of an ultimatum to Barca boss Enrique recently, demanding that he be given first team opportunities. And Roberto has indeed found himself in the starting lineup more often of late, with his display against Elche demonstrating why he is right to be frustrated at the Camp Nou. If Barcelona don’t give him the opportunity to prove himself, some other club will.

Elche - Manu 7, Edu 5, Pelegrin 5, Lomban 5, Peral 7, Pasalic 6, Galvez 5, Fragapane 6, Alvaro 5, Coro 6, Herrera 6. Subs - Adrian 5, Roco 5, Fajr.

Barcelona - Ter Stegen 6, Adriano 7, Mathieu 7, Bartra 6, Montoya 8, Roberto 8, Gambau 6, Rafinha 7, Traore 7, Pedro 6, Munir 5. Subs - Douglas 5, Halilovic 6.